Gold Moon Trading Company.

Jang Geum and Jang Wol. The Gold Moon Trading Company, named after the two brothers, had been making huge profits selling silk from the Central Plains to the Western Regions since their father’s time.

The caravan that started with just two or three camels grew in size year after year until it became a massive trading company that even elephants couldn’t pull all at once.

The momentum of the thriving Gold Moon Trading Company was broken only very recently.

“How long are we going to keep traveling this tiresome Silk Road? If we settle in Xi’an and use transport companies to move goods, it would be a thousand times more efficient.”

“Brother, aren’t we silk traders and merchants? How can a merchant sit in one place and not do business! If Father were to hear this—”

“Shut up! Father this, Father that! Do you not know who the owner of Gold Moon Trading Company is now?”

“The owners of Gold Moon Trading Company are you and me, brother! Before Father passed away, he clearly—”

“You insolent brat!”

Crash!

It wasn’t the first time there had been loud arguments between the brothers.

When the bosses are in a bad mood, it’s always the subordinates who suffer.

There were constant murmurs and head-shaking, saying, “It wasn’t like this when the Company Master was here.”

“At this rate, won’t the company go bankrupt?”

“Nonsense. Don’t they say even rich families last three generations?”

“That’s only when there’s a clear line of succession to the eldest son. What if the brothers split into factions and the company is divided in two? How could that last three generations?”

“Well… that’s true.”

“If that happens, I’ll definitely follow Young Master Wol. I’ll follow the Silk Road until I die, carrying on the Company Master’s will.”

“Your loyalty is admirable. To be honest, I’ll probably follow Young Master Geum. My body isn’t what it used to be. If I can make a living just by getting goods, that would be better for me.”

“Shh. Young Master Wol is coming out.”

The tent opened and the younger brother, Jang Wol, appeared.

Judging by the blue bruise on his face full of worry, it seemed he hadn’t even tried to block his brother’s blows.

‘Brother’s eyes have grown dim.’

No matter what anyone said, the Silk Road was the foundation of Gold Moon Trading Company.

Father had said many times while he was alive that this should never be entrusted to others, no matter what.

Who would trust a merchant who skimps on effort just because they’ve made some money?

“I don’t know how long we can continue this.”

As Jang Wol lamented, he saw customers approaching from afar.

Though his face was bruised, a broad smile appeared on Jang Wol’s face.

This was because of his father’s teaching that one should always have a smiling face when dealing with customers.

“Welcome to Gold Moon Trading Company!”

“Hello.”

Na Rin in silk clothes that exuded nobility, and Ma Jung and the doctor in cotton clothes.

Jang Wol, who instantly grasped their hierarchical relationship, lowered his body to meet Na Rin’s eyes and spoke as if it were only natural.

“Welcome, young miss. What do you need?”

Na Rin replied with a meaningful smile.

“Time.”

Time?

As Jang Wol was puzzled by this unusual request, Ma Jung answered instead.

“The young miss is very satisfied with Gold Moon Trading Company’s goods and wants to treat everyone to tea. If you could spare just one incense stick’s worth of time, we will compensate you generously.”

“No, that’s…”

Jang Wol’s eyes widened at this unprecedented situation.

How could this be, no matter how good the goods were?

Offering to gift time for drinking tea.

“Prepare some snacks too.”

Click.

When the doctor opened the lid of the box he was holding, it was full of lokum.

Jang Wol knew very well how expensive and precious those sweets were.

‘She seems to be a precious child of the demon cult. This can’t be refused.’

Looking at Na Rin again, Jang Wol saw that not only were her clothes expensive, but her confident posture and dignified attitude in front of adults were extraordinary in every way.

At the thought that this might lead to an even bigger deal, Jang Wol’s waist bent deeply.

“I am overwhelmed by such treatment for an unworthy merchant. Please allow me to bear the cost of the time.”

“As you wish.”

“Yes, young miss. Hey! Prepare the seating!”

Jang Wol called people to set up a large platform in the center of the trading company’s area and place tea tables on it to create a space for drinking tea.

Gold Moon Trading Company had just over ten workers, with each camel driver handling about 20 camels, which meant the company led over 200 camels.

Na Rin looked around at the workers seated at the tea tables and asked.

“Is everyone here?”

“Huh? Ah… well…”

Just then, someone came running and shouted.

“Wol! Is it true that a big customer has come?”

“Huh? Brother. It’s not like that.”

“What do you mean it’s not? You sneaky thing. You should have called me first for something like this!”

Jang Geum, still sweating, saw Na Rin, Ma Jung, and the doctor, clasped his hands, bowed, and smiled brightly.

“I apologize for the poor hospitality to such esteemed guests. I am Jang Geum, the head of Gold Moon Trading Company. How may I assist you?”

“Brother, brother! Just a moment.”

Jang Wol pulled Jang Geum close and quickly explained the situation in his ear.

“What? So you’re saying they’re not customers?”

“Not at the moment. But there’s a possibility it could lead to a big deal in the future, so please be careful.”

“Do you think I’m your underling? Trying to teach me.”

Jang Geum snorted, but he salivated at the mention of a big deal.

‘I can’t let Wol take the credit. I must show that my hospitality is better.’

“It’s embarrassing to have such an uncultured brother. If you’ll wait a moment, I’ll go fetch some dancers and musicians—”

“No. That’s fine.”

Na Rin flatly rejected Jang Geum’s offer and said to Jang Wol.

“Please gather hot water and teacups. I’ll brew a cup for each person.”

“Yes, young miss.”

Jang Wol quickly moved to prepare what Na Rin had requested.

Jang Geum’s jealousy boiled over at this sight, but he couldn’t throw punches in front of guests, so he had to swallow his anger.

Regardless, Na Rin began brewing tea leaves in the teapot borrowed from Jung Hee and pouring a cup for each person.

The workers lined up to receive their tea and a small piece of cut lokum.

The workers’ expressions brightened at this sudden sweet break.

“Please enjoy.”

“We’ll enjoy it, young miss.”

After all the dozen or so workers had received their tea, Na Rin’s gaze turned to the Jang Geum and Jang Wol brothers.

“Company heads should drink too.”

“Yes.”

“Yes!”

Jang Geum and Jang Wol answered simultaneously.

Jang Geum glared at Jang Wol, angry that his younger brother dared to claim the title of company head, but Jang Wol pretended not to notice.

‘Damn brat. You’re going to fight to the end?’

Jang Geum’s closed lips tightened.

As the elder brother, he couldn’t fall behind Jang Wol.

Jang Geum took his teacup, stood in front of Na Rin, bowed, and said.

“I’ll enjoy it. Thank you, young miss.”

“Yes.”

Na Rin wiggled her small hands to prepare the tea, while pointedly pushing the teapot forward slightly.

Blue and white porcelain with flowers and butterflies painted on it.

Jang Geum’s gaze trembled slightly.

“Here you go.”

Jang Geum took the teacup Na Rin handed him and glanced at the teapot several times.

‘No, it can’t be. But this isn’t even the Central Plains.’

“Aren’t you going to drink?”

“Ah… I was savoring the aroma. It’s quite a good tea.”

“It’s just ordinary tea.”

“Is, is that so…”

Jang Wol, who had been watching quietly, asked politely.

“Young miss. If it’s alright, may I have a cup as well?”

“Of course.”

The green tea Na Rin poured filled Jang Wol’s cup.

Jang Geum watched nervously as Jang Wol drank the tea.

“It was truly delicious. The young miss’s tea brewing skills are unparalleled in the world.”

“Hehe. It’s not that great. Maybe second to none?”

Na Rin spoke with uncharacteristic modesty.

After all, when it came to the tea ceremony, the title of ‘best in the world’ belonged to Hyeon Baek.

As Jang Wol put down his teacup, Na Rin’s gaze naturally turned to Jang Geum.

Jang Geum, looking like someone with something to hide, avoided eye contact and asked Na Rin.

“Um… There’s something I’m curious about.”

“Go ahead.”

“That, the item you liked, which product was it? If you tell me, I’ll bring more.”

Na Rin replied in a noticeably colder voice.

“I’ll tell you after you drink your tea.”

“Ah… yes.”

Jang Geum swallowed hard.

The teacup in his hand felt as heavy as iron.

Just as the rim of the cup touched Jang Geum’s trembling lips, Ma Jung shouted.

“Ahhh! A ghost!”

“Huh!”

Startled by the sudden sound, Jang Geum dropped the teacup.

Na Rin caught the cup with wind-like speed before it could hit the ground.

“Wh-wh-what!”

“Oh my, did I startle you? I’m sorry. I must have seen things.”

Ma Jung said, making light of the situation.

“A, apparition…?”

“Yes. How strange, this has never happened before.”

Jang Geum’s cold sweat was visibly pouring down.

Na Rin returned the teacup Jang Geum had dropped, smiling brightly like a fully bloomed peony.

“Here you go.”

“Th-thank you.”

Anxious eyes darted between the teapot and the teacup.

‘Damn, damn damn…’

“What’s wrong, brother?”

“Shut up!”

He had to drink it. He had to… but if he did…

‘Everything will be exposed!’

Sweating profusely and gnawing on his lips, Jang Geum squeezed his eyes shut, knelt down on the spot, and bowed his head.

“I have committed a mortal sin!”

“Brother?!”

“What? What’s going on?”

As everyone at Gold Moon Trading Company murmured, looking at the prostrate Jang Geum, a confident smile appeared on Na Rin’s face.

“Tell the truth. About the tea?”

This was the content of Jang Geum’s confession.

Bi Cha had been a long-time customer of Gold Moon Trading Company, and with his natural gift of gab, he often beat down prices.

A skilled merchant would have either made a decent profit within that or compromised by using Bi Cha’s eloquence to spread word-of-mouth, but Jang Geum couldn’t do that.

Jang Geum, already irritated by the harsh caravan life, harbored resentment towards Bi Cha and tampered with a specially ordered teapot.

The doctor spoke sternly to Jang Geum, as if threatening him.

“Tell us exactly what poison you used!”

“Oh my, poison? That’s harsh language. What merchant in the world would kill a regular customer? I just wanted to teach him a lesson, so I coated the inside of the teapot with powder from mushrooms that cause hallucinations.”

“Mushrooms?”

“Yes, it’s called yellow grisette… It’s poisonous if you want to call it that, but it’s not that harmful! It causes some headaches and nausea, but it’s all excreted in urine after just one night!”

Jang Geum protested as if he felt wronged.

What had he done so wrong?

Compared to Bi Cha, who had caused actual financial damage to the company, what he did was just a prank.

He even turned himself in, shouldn’t that be taken into consideration?

If his mistake was not knowing that person had connections to important people…

“Not a harmful mushroom, you say?”

“Yes, yes. That’s right, young miss.”

“Even for a child?”